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The Irishman, who joined the Magpies from Rovers in November 2011 after an initial loan spell, has made just seven starts this season and he made it clear to Gary Bowyer when the transfer window reopened in January that he wanted to go out on loan in order to play first-team football.

Bowyer, who handed Judge a three-year deal after bringing him back to the club, agreed with his request.

But it is understood the Rovers boss has not yet closed the door on the Dublin-born playmaker reviving his Ewood Park career.

Judge is one of 15 players Rovers currently out on loan.

Another is striker David Goodwillie at Championship rivals Blackpool. The Scotland international has scored two goals in his last three appearances for the Seasiders and he admits, after just nine starts in two-and-a-half years at Rovers, he is relishing the chance to play first-team football.

Goodwillie, who signed for Blackpool on loan in January, said: “Regular football is a must have for me, I’m desperate for it. I need to start enjoying my football again.

“I’ve been working hard in training to try and get in the manager’s plans and thankfully it has paid off and he has given me some game time.”

Goodwillie has been joined at Bloomfield Road by former Rovers assistant manager Eric Black.

Black assists rookie caretaker manager – and Ewood old boy – Barry Ferguson for two days a week and on matchdays.

Goodwillie said: “I was at Blackburn with him and I learned a lot from him there.

“He knows what he is talking about so what he says the players take on board.”